Fire devoured the Hilke’s Ice plant and warehouse in Freeburg yesterday morning. No one was injured in the fire, but the facility is a total loss.

According to a news release from the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, the fire has been listed as accidental. Video from inside the structure showed the fire originating at one of the machines.

The release goes on to say that employees discovered the fire while loading pallets of ice into trucks. The company called 911 to report the fire. The Freeburg Community Fire Association reported that crews were dispatched to the scene at approximately 12:37 a.m. and arrived within minutes. Flames and black smoke were coming through the roof along the structure's south side upon arrival.

Eight fire departments initially responded - Freeburg, Westphalia, Osage County, Linn, Meta, Argyle, Vichy, and Vienna.

Public water sources in Freeburg and Westphalia were depleted in the early hours of the morning. Firefighters then took as much water as could be spared from Quaker Windows, after which they were forced to find other sources.

Wieberg Red-E-Mix provided six concrete trucks, which hauled 10 loads of water (approximately 25,000 gallons total) from their Meta and Vichy plants. Osage Concrete assisted Wieberg, hauling two loads.

The Division of Fire Safety Mutual Aid Coordinator worked with Region F Fire Mutual Aid to arrange assistance. A tanker strike team consisting of trucks from Iberia, Gravois Mills, Mid County, Lake Ozark, Sunrise Beach, Eldon, and Moreau arrived around 12:30 pm to provide aid.

Hilke’s Ice has provided ice for multiple natural disasters throughout the country during the company’s 50 year history, a fact in which owner Laron Hilke takes great pride. Those friendships and good deeds stand him in good stead during his time of need.

A post on the company’s Facebook page yesterday stated “We may be down but we are not out. We are still in business as normal. Thank you for everyone's help and support at this time.”

A later post said “We are still in business as normal. We have ice coming in from all over the United States to keep our customers stocked with ice and our employees working. Thank you for everyone's help and support at this time.”

At least one Hilke’s Ice truck was seen delivering ice shortly before 7 pm last night, proving that, even in the midst of tragedy, Hilke’s Ice continues.

Hilke's had their 50th anniversity this year in May. Read about it here: hilkes-ice-celebrates-50th-anniversary

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Firefighters were called early this morning — between midnight and 1 am — for a fire at Hilke's Ice in Freeburg.

No injuries have been reported. The  Freeburg, Westphalia and the Quaker water reserves have been depleted to fight the fire. The main big freezer was destroyed in the fire.

The owners report that due to help from other Ice companies from as far away as Texas they will be able to meet demand for ice.

Fire departments responding to the call were Freeburg, Westphalia, Osage, Linn, Meta, Argyle, Vichy and Vienna.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.